Shaun McKenna News

International best selling crime thriller novelist Peter James - who has sold over 15 million books of his Roy Grace series and been published in 36 languages - is to have his work adapted for the stage for the very first time. The Perfect Murder, which spent 15 weeks at No.1 in the book charts, has been adapted by award winning writer Shaun McKenna and will open at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford on Wednesday 8th January 2014, before touring to venues such as the Theatre Royal in both Bath and Brighton.

At a reception held at The Club at the Ivy on Thursday 17 January, the 2012 BWW:UK Awards were presented by Fernando Peire, Director of The Ivy - and presenter of ITV's The Restaurant Inspector - to the writer and cast of Ladies in Lavender.

The York Theatre Company, in association with Robert D. Wachs, presents the developmental lab of the new disco musical, Last Dance, featuring songs by the legendary Academy, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical). Get a first look at the cast onstage below!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), in association with Robert D. Wachs (producer of the hit films Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop 2, Coming to America), will mount a lab workshop of the new disco "revue-sical," Last Dance featuring the music of legendary pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical). Last Dance will play 5 performances tonight, September 20 - 23, 2012 at at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), in association with Robert D. Wachs (producer of the hit films Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop 2, Coming to America), present the developmental lab of the new disco musical, Last Dance, featuring songs by the legendary Academy, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical).

Today we are focusing a super-special spotlight on one of the Fall's most intriguing musical entries trying out in New York, the York Theatre Company's lab mounting of the new Paul Jabara jukebox musical LAST DANCE, by talking to the show's lead, recognizable TV and film star Rob Morrow, and the show's lead producer, noted comedic shepherd and filmmaker Robert D. Wachs, whom filled me in on all aspects of the show in a comprehensive chat late last week just prior to this week's start of rehearsals. In this all-encompassing conversation, Morrow, Wachs and I discuss the genesis of the new disco-themed musical celebrating the life and career of Jabara, the accomplished Emmy, Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer of Broadway shows (RACHAEL LILY ROSENBLOOM… AND DON'T YOU EVER FORGET IT), movie songs ("Last Dance" from THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY; the titular "The Main Event") and numerous pop/rock/disco hits, such as "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls, Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer's epic disco duet "Enough Is Enough (No More Tears)" and his many solo hits, as well as the finer points of the story, concept, casting and the ultimate goals of the new Philip William McKinley-directed production, which features a book by Shaun McKenna. Additionally, Morrow and Wachs each generously share showbiz tales from their storied careers involving such big names as Eddie Murphy, Michael Bennett, Jonathan Larson, Tony Scott and many more and both copiously convey their infectious enthusiasm for the forthcoming fully-produced lab presentation of the new musical that will play for five performances beginning September 20 as they prepare for its first viewing before a paying audience. All of that and much, much more awaits!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), in association with Robert D. Wachs (producer of the hit films Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop 2, Coming to America), presents the developmental lab production of the new disco musical, Last Dance, featuring songs by the legendary Academy, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical). Under the direction of Philip Wm. McKinley (SPIDERMAN Turn Off the Dark, The Boy from Oz), and with choreography by Carol Schuberg (Meet Me in St. Louis) and musical direction by Wendy Cavett (Mamma Mia!), the five-member cast also features Katrina Lenk (SPIDER-MAN Turn Off the Dark), Anastacia McClesky (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) EmmyAward nominee Rob Morrow ("Northern Exposure," "Numb3rs"), Jack Noseworthy (Jerome Robbins' Broadway) and Jill Shackner (Les Miserables). Last Dance will play 5 performances only, September 20 - 23, 2012 at at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the first rehearsal below!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), in association with Robert D. Wachs has announced final casting with the addition of Katrina Lenk (SPIDER-MAN Turn Off the Dark) and Anastacia McClesky (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) to the cast of the developmental lab of the new disco musical, Last Dance, featuring songs by the legendary Academy, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical).

The York Theatre Company, in association with Robert D. Wachs, has announced the addition of Emmy-Award nominee Rob Morrow ("Northern Exposure," "Number3s") to the cast of the lab workshop of the new disco musical, Last Dance, featuring the music of legendary pop master Paul Jabara.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), in association with Robert D. Wachs (producer of the hit films Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop 2, Coming to America), will mount a lab workshop of the new disco "revue-sical," Last Dance featuring the music of legendary pop master Paul Jabara (Enough is Enough, It's Raining Men, Last Dance, and more) with book by Shaun McKenna (Lord of the Rings, The Musical). Last Dance will play 5 performances, September 20 - 23, 2012 at at The York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

TV and stage icon Hayley Mills will be starring alongside Belinda Lang in the world premiere stage production of Ladies In Lavender at Royal & Derngate this spring. This evocative and heart-warming story of unfulfilled dreams and unrequited love runs from Friday 6 April to Saturday 28 April, as part of the 2012 Made In Northampton season before embarking on a national tour.

The national buzz surrounding SPIDER-MAN, TURN OFF THE DARK may have died down, but that doesn't mean that the audience is any less wild about the show - or the stops, according to director Philip William McKinley. 'Maybe it's the reality TV factor, but when we stop, the audience goes nuts,' he tells Deadline.com. 'They love it because it is reality. If the show isn't perfect, what's wrong that that? The same thing could happen with The Bible.' Yes - The Bible.

Today sees the release of Only You Can Save Mankind, a studio concept album recorded by major West End stars, of a sci-fi stage musical based on the international best-selling book by Terry Pratchett.

Today sees the release of Only You Can Save Mankind, a studio concept album recorded by major West End stars, of a sci-fi stage musical based on the international best-selling book by Terry Pratchett.

The composer and the lyricist of ONLY YOU CAN SAVE MANKIND talk to Carrie Dunn

Photos from the studio recording of the Edinburgh smash

Daniel Boys, Kerry Ellis and Sharon D Clarke arrive at the studio to begin recording the musical adaptation of the Terry Pratchett novel

Major West End singers are this month to record the songs from a new sci-fi musical 'Only You Can Save Mankind', based on the international best-selling book by Terry Pratchett.

The nominations were just released for the 2008 Olivier Awards and Haispray is leading the pack with 11 nominations.

India's premier airline Jet Airways today announced their sponsorship worth 15 million rupees for The Lord of the Rings London original cast album that is currently being recorded for a January 21, 2008 release.